Articles

VALIDITY AND INTRA- AND INTEROBSERVER RELIABILITY OF AN INDIRECT VOLUME MEASUREMENTS IN PATIENTS WITH UPPER EXTREMITY LYMPHEDEMA

Authors: RS Meijer ( ) , JS Rietman ( ) , JHB Geertzen ( ) , JC Bosmans ( ) , PU Dijkstra ( )

Abstract

We investigated a method of indirect volume measurement that utilized surface measurements and a simplified formula derived from the formula for a frustum (Sitzia’s method) to determine limb volumes in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema of the upper extremity. Repeated measurements of upper-extremity limb volume were obtained by two observers on both upper extremities of 30 women with unilateral lymphedema. Volume was calculated using a simplified formula and compared with water displacement method as a gold standard. Indirect volume determination using Sitzia’s method is comparable with the water displacement method, has comparable intra- and interobserver reliabilities, and can be used for diagnosis and follow up measurements of lymphedema. Indirect volume determination using surface measurements at 8 cm intervals is only suitable for followup measurements. The methods should not be used interchangeably.

Keywords:

How to Cite: Meijer, R. , Rietman, J. , Geertzen, J. , Bosmans, J. & Dijkstra, P. (2004) “VALIDITY AND INTRA- AND INTEROBSERVER RELIABILITY OF AN INDIRECT VOLUME MEASUREMENTS IN PATIENTS WITH UPPER EXTREMITY LYMPHEDEMA”, Lymphology. 37(3).